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Police: Hingham Teen Escaped After Attempted Assault

HINGHAM (CBS) -- A teenager was reportedly assaulted by a man while walking on North Street Wednesday night.

Police say the teen was walking along the town's brick sidewalks at about 9 p.m. near 16 North St. as she went to her mother's car from a tutoring session. That's when a man grabbed her from behind and pulled her pants down in a busy area of town with numerous homes and businesses nearby. When the girl fought back by screaming and kicking, the alleged attacker ran away toward Station Street.

hingham
A Hingham teen reported a man grabbed her from behind on North Street.

"She screamed to make a scene, to attract attention, then kicked him several times," police Sgt. Steven Dearth said. "He was able to get her pants down around her knees."

After the attack, the girl went into a business and reported the incident. Her attacker, who never spoke, is described as very skinny, about 5'5" tall, wearing tight black pants, a black sweatshirt and  a black mask over his face.

Residents are surprised by the attack.

"I grew up here and I never would have thought anything would happen like this," one woman said. "It could have been any of us. It just happened to be that poor girl."

"Oh my goodness, right here?" resident Mary Ann Quinn said. "That's awful. What a violation. It's frightening."

Police are investigating the incident and ask anyone with information to call detectives at 781-741-1443. Anonymous tips can be left at hpd.org.

Neal George

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